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Thursday

Jan 9, 2014 at 1:50 PMJan 9, 2014 at 2:07 PM

By More Content Now

Tip of the WeekWindow treatmentsWindow fashions have come a long way. With the variety of styles, fabrics, colors and textures available, they truly add “fashion” to the home, says design expert Sally Morse.Morse is director of creative services for Hunter Douglas, the world’s leading manufacturer of quality window coverings for the home.You should open your window treatments during the daytime to allow the sun to help heat up your home, Morse says, and close them at night to keep warmth inside during winter.Remember where your windows face, too, Morse advises:• Northern light is the coolest, clearest, most constant light, but also the coldest. Put your most insulating window treatments here.• Eastern light is warm, bright and clear, but its brightness may render it overly warm, especially in the morning. East-facing rooms often heat up quickly and hold heat during the day. Cut down on glare with materials that diffuse the light.• Western light or afternoon light is the warmest in color and the hottest. It’s often hazy, and prolonged exposure can be damaging to furnishings. Windows should be covered with a combination of light-diffusing, UV-ray-protecting treatments.• South-facing windows are the most important natural light source in an interior because of sunlight that casts a warm, golden glow year-round. Fabrics and window treatments that are UV-stable are most desirable here, while window coverings with metalized or white backings that reflect the light help reduce heat gain.— Amber Krosel, More Content Now

Did You KnowWinter pestsNearly a third (29 percent) of Americans have had a “visit” from one of winter’s least-welcome “guests” – rodents – according to a survey from the National Pest Management Association. These pests enter approximately 21 million homes each winter.— Brandpoint

Decorating TipPatch jobTexturing can do for your walls what a good coat of wax can do for your car’s finish – hide a host of flaws. Try it on poorly patched holes, uneven sheetrock, ugly wallpaper and multiple layers of peeling paint.— Brandpoint

Garden GuideInsecticide usePay attention to how you apply lawn and garden products. When using insecticides, carefully read and follow label directions to protect pollinators.— Brandpoint